University of the East drew strength from sophomore Paul Lee as the Warriors repulsed the reigning NCAA back-to-back champion San Beda Red Lions, 81-65, yesterday to rule the FilOil/Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Lee, a former San Sebastian Staglet sidelined for about a month by a sprained ankle, surprised everybody with a 20-point fourth-quarter explosion powering the Warriors to their conquest of the Lions.
“Very timely he (Lee) played his best game today (yesterday),” said coach Dindo Pumaren after the Warriors clinched their second title in the run-up to the college basketball season.
The Warriors also made the finale of the Nike Summer Basketball League, and this, according to Pumaren, augurs well for their campaign in the coming UAAP wars.
The Lions were actually in control at 52-47 before Lee took over the game for the Warriors.
Limited to four points in the first three quarters, Lee hit his strides at the finish, highlighting his big splurge with five triples.
“We needed those outside shots because we’re having a hard time breaking their interior defense because of Sam Ekwe,” said Pumaren.
The Warriors earned P300,000 worth of scholarship courtesy of FilOil and Flying V for winning the championship.
The Lions settled for P150,000, their title bid obviously affected by the absence of starting pointguard Pong Escobal.
“It certainly helped that Pong Escobal did not play,” said Pumaren.
Earlier, defending UAAP titlist De La Salle, which lost to San Beda in the semifinals, ripped Adamson, 79-60, for third place and the P75,000 prize.